Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.
Santa Rosa strictly regulates short-term rentals by requiring permits for all hosts and effectively banning new non-hosted (unoccupied) rentals through an absolute citywide cap.
To rent your home short-term in Santa Rosa, you must obtain a city permit and a business tax certificate, and the property must usually be your primary residence where you live at least half the year. New permits for 'non-hosted' rentals (where the owner isn't present) are currently not being accepted because the city has reached its limit of 198 total units. All hosts must collect a combined 14% in local lodging taxes and adhere to strict rules regarding noise, parking, and fire safety.
Step-by-step guide for Santa Rosa
Obtain a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) account number and register for the Santa Rosa Tourism Business Improvement Area (BIA) assessments through the Revenue Division.
Apply for a city business license (Business Tax Certificate) as required by Measure EE effective January 2025.
Complete the Short-Term Rental Permit application and provide documentation verifying primary residency (for hosted units).
The property must pass a fire and life safety inspection to ensure compliance with smoke alarms, CO detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.
Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM